The housekeeping department at the university is responsible for cleaning and maintaining over two million square feet of floor space in 45 on-campus residence halls: Each and every one is certifiably green cleaned.

While the housekeeping department had been interested in the idea of sustainability for several years and was already committed to many of the requirements, they wanted to take it a step further.

“The entire management team from the top down was involved; the whole university has a commitment to sustainability, and the department of housing and dining services is very important to the health and welfare of the students,” said Margie Lawrence, registered executive housekeeper (REH) and assistant director for housekeeping and furnishings at Virginia Tech. “It is important that we feel good about the environment we are creating for students and employees with the residence halls.”

CleanZone is a unique certification designed to create healthier workplace environments through the implementation of responsible cleaning products, systems and program solutions, while utilizing standards recognized by sustainable industry leaders including the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and Green Seal Inc.

Through education, training and providing the necessary products and equipment, the hardworking housekeeping staff met the criteria set forth by the certification program and received CleanZone Level III certification in May 2010, becoming the only university in their region to be certified.

The model program and certification has brought pride to the entire university community, while creating a healthy workplace and educational environment for the students and simultaneously helping to meet the university''s requirements for LEED certification.

Taking a facility''s cleaning program to the next level and becoming certified has a positive impact, not only on the level of cleanliness, but on the morale and wellbeing of all who interact with the space.

Amanda Martini-Hughes is the assistant editor of Cleaning & Maintenance Management (CMM) magazine and a graduate of New York University Publishing Institute. She has been part of the CMM team for more than five years, working on both print and web-based projects. She can be reached at amanda@issa.com.